Three Major Boons: Family Month, School Trips, and the APEC Meeting
Temporary Flights Added to Jeju Routes for Peak Season
APEC Meeting from May 3 to 16 Brings 3,200 Visitors to Jeju
Domestic airlines are adding extra flights to Jeju routes in May and June in response to a surge in demand expected during Family Month and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Jeju Meeting.
On May 1, Jeju Island announced that Jeju Air will operate 38 additional temporary flights on the Gimpo-Jeju route in May and June, in addition to its regular schedule. Previously, on April 29, Jeju Island officials visited Jeju Air headquarters to request that the airline ensure smooth flight access for the approximately 132,000 students expected to visit Jeju during the first half's school trip season. They also asked Jeju Air to actively operate temporary flights after the presidential election on June 3, when incentives for attracting group tourists will be expanded.
Other airlines have also increased flights on Jeju routes. Asiana Airlines will add 14 weekly flights to Jeju in May and, during the holiday period from today through the 6th, will switch to larger aircraft, providing an additional 1,160 seats per day. Korean Air will operate mileage-exclusive flights on Jeju routes, including four flights on the Busan-Jeju route on May 2 and 5, 32 flights on the Gimpo-Jeju route from June 1 to 8, and four flights on the Busan-Jeju route on June 5 and 8. Eastar Jet will add 10 flights on the Gimpo-Jeju route and two daily flights on the Busan-Jeju route during the May holidays. T'way Air will operate two additional daily flights on the Cheongju-Jeju route from May 15 to 18.
Previously, on April 23, Jeju Island visited the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to request an expansion of domestic routes. The local government is working with each airline to respond quickly to air travel demand during the holidays and peak season in May and June. Jeju Island plans to continue maintaining close cooperation with government agencies and the airline industry to respond swiftly and flexibly to air travel demand, thereby enhancing the sustainability and global competitiveness of Jeju's tourism industry.
Meanwhile, from May 3 to 16, the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Second Senior Officials' Meeting will be held on Jeju Island. On May 1, Jeju Island announced that preparations for transportation, accommodation, security, and tours had been completed ahead of the meeting. With more than 3,200 participants, this will be the largest multilateral international conference ever held on Jeju. The local government plans to promote Jeju's unique natural environment, historical and cultural value, and future vision to the international community. To this end, a special provincial promotional booth will be set up at the Jeju International Convention Center (ICC) in Seogwipo to showcase Jeju's sustainable development strategies and its value as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.
The Jeju International Convention Center where the APEC Jeju Meeting is held from the 3rd to the 16th. Jeju Island
The APEC Jeju Meeting will feature a total of 73 meetings, including the Senior Officials' Meeting, various ministerial meetings, and working group sessions. Currently, about 3,000 people, including minister-level representatives from member economies, private sector participants, and journalists, have completed online pre-registration. Including on-site registrations, the total number of participants is expected to exceed 3,200.
Jeju Island has prepared various programs to ensure that this large-scale international conference has a positive impact on the local economy. Shuttle buses will connect the conference venue to the original downtown area of Seogwipo, and payment options for participants have been improved. In addition, 19 cultural tours lasting two to three hours will be offered, allowing participants to visit major tourist attractions on Jeju outside of meeting hours.
Staff have been deployed at Jeju Airport to provide information on Jeju tourism and shuttle bus services, and information desks have been set up at eight designated hotels near the conference venue. Large outdoor billboards have been installed at the airport and the entrance to the Jungmun Tourist Complex, and streetlight banners and placards have been placed along Peace Road and major roads in Seogwipo to create a welcoming atmosphere for the APEC Jeju Meeting and to prepare for the arrival of guests on a large scale.
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